Kayla Harrison: Tapology, Walk-Around Weight, Steroids and Height

Kayla Harrison is one of the most accomplished female fighters in mixed martial arts. A two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, she successfully transitioned into MMA and became a UFC women’s bantamweight champion. Her impressive physique, strength and wrestling background have also made her a popular subject of discussion among MMA fans.

Searches about Kayla Harrison often focus on her Tapology record, natural walk-around weight, height and steroid allegations. Here is a closer look at her fighting career and the facts behind these questions.

Kayla Harrison Tapology Record

Kayla Harrison has established herself as an elite competitor through her achievements in judo and professional MMA. She began her professional mixed martial arts career in 2018 and initially competed in the lightweight division.

Her career includes championship victories in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and the UFC. She also made a successful transition to the UFC in 2024.

According to her official UFC profile, Harrison has a professional MMA record of 19 wins and one loss. Her victories include knockout, submission and decision finishes.

Her notable achievements include:

• Two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo.
• Two-time PFL tournament champion.
• UFC women’s bantamweight champion.
• Eight professional submission victories.
• Six professional knockout victories.

Her grappling ability remains one of her biggest advantages inside the Octagon.

What Is Kayla Harrison’s Walk-Around Weight?

Kayla Harrison’s walk-around weight has attracted considerable attention because she previously competed at a much heavier weight in judo and MMA.

Harrison revealed that during much of her PFL career, she typically walked around between 160 and 165 pounds. She also addressed misconceptions that she naturally weighed around 180 pounds.

Her move to the UFC required a significant adjustment because she began competing in the women’s bantamweight division.

Here is a breakdown of her reported and competitive weights:

• Walk-around weight: Approximately 160–165 pounds, according to her earlier interviews.
• Former judo competition weight: Approximately 171–172 pounds.
• UFC bantamweight limit: 135 pounds for championship fights.
• Non-title bantamweight limit: 136 pounds.

Making 135 pounds requires a carefully managed nutrition and weight-cutting programme. Her physical strength and ability to compete at a lower weight have become important talking points in women’s MMA.

Has Kayla Harrison Taken Steroids?

Steroid allegations involving Kayla Harrison became a major talking point before her UFC 316 championship fight against Julianna Peña in June 2025.

Peña publicly questioned Harrison’s muscular physique and suggested that she had used performance-enhancing drugs. However, these comments were accusations, not proof of steroid use.

Harrison strongly rejected the allegations. She explained that she had undergone extensive drug testing throughout her judo and MMA career.

Her longtime coach, Mike Brown, also defended her, stating that Harrison had never failed a drug test and attributing her physical development to her natural athletic ability and demanding training routine.

There is an important distinction between public speculation and established facts. No verified positive steroid test has been established in the reporting surrounding these accusations.

Harrison has consistently maintained that she competes clean and credits her physique to years of training, discipline, nutrition and conditioning.

How Tall Is Kayla Harrison?

Kayla Harrison is 5 feet 8 inches tall (173 cm).

Her height, strength and grappling skills make her a physically imposing competitor in the UFC women’s bantamweight division.

Here are her main physical measurements:

Her reach and physical strength help her control opponents during clinch exchanges and grappling situations.

Kayla Harrison’s MMA Career and Achievements

Before becoming a UFC champion, Harrison built an extraordinary reputation in international judo.

She won Olympic gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics and 2016 Rio Olympics. These victories made her one of the most successful American judokas in history.

After transitioning to MMA, she joined the PFL and quickly became one of its leading fighters. Her success included two tournament championships.

In April 2024, she made her UFC debut against Holly Holm at UFC 300. Harrison won through a second-round submission, immediately establishing herself as a serious contender.

She later defeated Ketlen Vieira before submitting Julianna Peña at UFC 316 in June 2025 to capture the UFC women’s bantamweight championship.

Her background in judo continues to give her a major advantage in takedowns, positional control and submissions.

Conclusion

Kayla Harrison’s achievements explain why she remains one of the biggest names in women’s MMA. Her Tapology record reflects an impressive professional career, while her reported walk-around weight is approximately 160–165 pounds.

She stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and competes at 135 pounds in the UFC bantamweight division. Although steroid accusations have attracted attention, allegations should not be confused with confirmed evidence. Harrison has denied using performance-enhancing drugs and has defended her record of competing clean.